CactusSkin

From cactus farms of Zacatecas, Mexico

INTRODUCING CACTUSSKIN

Our close Mexican partner,Desserto®produces a highly sustainable plant based and vegan material made from cactus. Over the last 4 years, Desserto has been distinguished by its great softness at touch while offering a great performance for a wide varety of applications and complying with the most rigorous quality and environmental standards.

From Cactus farms to a wearable material

CACTUSSKIN PRODUCTION STAGES

The CactusSkin production starts at a certified organic cactus farm in the state of Zacatecas in Mexico. To make this bio-material, only the mature leaves are harvested, keeping the core of the cacti intact, meaning in 6-8 months the leaves will have grown back and the cacti can be re-harvested.

The cacti are organically grown and do so in their natural habitat, meaning no irrigation system or chemicals are used to grow cacti.

After cutting the mature leafs, they dry under the sun for 3 days. Then, the organic raw material is processed and associated with stabilizers to create the bio-material Desserto®.

Animal-free and Resistant

VEGAN AND DURABLE

Desserto® is an animal-free material and is PETA-Approved Vegan. Download here Desserto's vegan certification.

Thanks to its strong molecular bonding, the CactusSkin offers high resistance to abrasion, rubbing, tearing, tensile and a great durability. CactusKin is water resistant, breathable and easy to clean.

35% of cactus in each pair

CACTUSSKIN COMPONENTS

With over 35% of the sneaker made up from cactus skin, the robust material looks and feels like leather and is made to last so that you can always put your best eco foot forward.

Composition: 35% cactus skin, 65% bio-based PU

Water-conservative, energy-efficient and low carbon

CARBON IMPACT

Cacti use very little water to grow and be maintained. In comparison, the average pair of leather sneakers will use a whopping 2,257 gallons of water during the production process.

Our LCA study made by the certified solution FAIRLY MADE® indicates our CactusSkin emits 3.61kg of C02 per m² versus 61kg of C02 per m² for animal leather.

According to this study, our GEN1 sneakers emit on average 79% less carbon than a leather pair, and have a carbon footprint of 6.38kg of CO2 per pair.